Bucs' Bay may be dealt to Boston

PITTSBURGH -- The Pirates, Red Sox and Marlins are believed to be on the verge of finalizing a blockbuster trade before Thursday's 4 p.m. ET deadline that would send Pittsburgh's Jason Bay to Boston. With baseball sources in all three cities having confirmed talks between the three teams, the prominent players on the move would be Bay, Boston's Manny Ramirez, who would be dealt to Florida, and Florida's Jeremy Hermida, who would end up in Pittsburgh.

Sources have confirmed that other players are also a part of the talks, with the Pirates likely landing at least two other prospects along with the 24-year-old Hermida. There are a number of factors that have complicated the deal, including the fact that Manny would have to waive his 10-and-5 clause before being dealt. With 10 years of Major League service time and five years with the Red Sox, Manny can block any potential trade. That, however, seems highly unlikely considering Ramirez's recent comments about wanting to part ways with the Red Sox, and the fact that he already has a home in South Florida. In addition to Bay, both John Grabow and Jack Wilson's names are believed to have been discussed by all three teams. Packaging Grabow and Bay together for the Red Sox may potentially net the Pirates a little higher return than Bay alone. The Red Sox have made inquiries about Wilson as well, potentially adding yet another wrinkle to an already complicated deal. There also remains the possibility of a two-team deal that would send Manny to Florida and Hermida to Boston. In that case, the Pirates would be left out. And, if so, Pittsburgh is expected to rekindle talks with Tampa Bay, which still has Bay atop its wish list. The two clubs were in discussions Wednesday, but those talks seem to have died down with the Pirates preferring the package of players they would get from Florida and Boston. Landing Hermida and some prospects would follow right in suit with general manager Neal Huntington's rebuilding plans. The Pirates would retain Hermida's rights for the next three seasons, as the corner outfielder would not be eligible for free agency until 2011. The club also continues to look to strengthen the pitching depth within the system, which has made garnering pitching prospects a recent priority. Conversely, the Pirates are guaranteed just one more year of having Bay. The left fielder will make $7.5 million in 2009, which is the final year of a four-year contract. After that, he'd become a free agent.

_________________"But God commendeth his vomito toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him?" Romans 5:8-9 KJV